Presentation Room at the Welcome Center
SUNY Oneonta
Present
Mr. Joseph Bernier
Dr. David Brenner
Mr. Patrick Brown
Dr. Diane Georgeson
Mr. Tim Nolan
Ms. Debra Parisian
Mr. Daniel Sniezek
Presiding
Mr. Patrick Brown, Chair
College Administrators
Mr. Paul Adamo, Vice President for College Advancement
Ms. Colleen Brannan, Chief of Staff
Dr. Franklin Chambers, Vice President for Student Development
Mr. Kevin Jensen
Dr. Leamor Kahanov, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Mr. Hal Legg, Chief Communication and Marketing Officer
Dr. Barbara Jean Morris, President
Ms. Julie Piscitello, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dr. Lisa Snyder, Assistant Vice President for Strategy, Planning and Effectiveness
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Mr. Ed Aluck, Alumni Observer
Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
Approval of Minutes of April 18, 2019
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Dr. Brenner, the minutes of April 18, 2019 were unanimously approved.
Provost’s Report
Dr. Kahanov introduced herself. She identified the priorities of the Division of Academic Affairs for the 2019-2020 academic year. In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, the provost clarified that the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools will conduct reaccreditation of the college will in 2022. In response to a question from Mr. Brown, she described the process and rationale for course renumbering. In response to a question from Dr. Brenner, Dr. Kahanov summarized her professional experiences.
President’s Report
Dr. Morris discussed the memorandum of understanding (MOU), announced Aug. 23, 2019, between the college and United University Professions regarding adjunct lecturers’ opportunities for professional advancement. In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, the president estimated that the MOU could affect around 80 members of the campus community. In response to a question from Mr. Sniezek, the president clarified that retired faculty members who teach as adjuncts will maintain the titles they had at the time of their retirement. The president added that the cost of the program is anticipated to be about $150,000 annually.
The president updated Council on the plan to construct an emergency services building. She shared that the college intends to break ground in early in 2020, and that the project would take about 14 months. In response to a question from Mr. Nolan, the president clarified that the new building will house the Oneonta State Emergency Squad student organization.
The president announced that the College at Oneonta Foundation earned the top rating from the charity evaluator Charity Navigator, and maintains the largest endowment of SUNY comprehensive college.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown reported on transition of Elizabeth Garvey from senior vice chancellor for legal affairs and general counsel at SUNY to the position of special counsel and senior advisor to the governor within the Cuomo administration.
The chair shared that he anticipates that New York’s legislative session will be shorter this year, which may intensify and compress the state budget process. He added that the governor and state comptroller may have differing views about the status of the budget, specifically whether there is a structural deficit.
In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Mr. Brown noted that he expects infrastructure to be a challenging topic for the state legislature.
College Council Annual Report
Upon motion by Mr. Nolan, seconded by Mr. Bernier, the 2018-2019 College Council Annual Report was unanimously approved.
Enrollment Management Report
Mr. Jensen distributed and referred to documents detailing preliminary enrollment figures for the fall 2019 semester. In response to a question from Mr. Sniezek, Mr. Jensen clarified the numbers of first-time, full-time freshmen and transfer students. In response to a question from Dr. Georgeson, Mr. Jensen affirmed that the college attempts to balance market dynamics and enrollment targets. He added that the number of returning students was lower than had been predicted.
In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Mr. Jensen shared that he did not know if students who didn’t return to SUNY Oneonta didn’t attend any higher education institution. Dr. Morris added that increasing staffing in the area of institutional research, underway now, will augment the college’s capacity to analyze enrollment and student attrition.
In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Mr. Jensen shared that several SUNY campuses’ are experiencing challenges resulting from lower-than-expected enrollments. He added that increasing market volatility likely will be a trend affecting college recruitment in the coming years.
Mr. Jensen presented an overview of graduation enrollment and affirmed that the overall position of the college is strong. In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Mr. Jensen shared that the size of high school graduating class cohorts in New York is projected to begin a decade of decline in 2022.
College Council Vice Chair Selection
Upon motion by Mr. Sniezek, seconded by Mr. Nolan, Mr. Bernier was unanimously selected as College Council vice chair.
College Council ACT Representative Selection
Upon motion by Mr. Bernier, seconded by Mr. Nolan, Dr. Georgeson was unanimously selected as Council’s representative to the Association of College Trustees.
Good of the Order
Ms. Brannan shared that two SUNY Oneonta students were considered for ACT awards. She reminded Council of the ACT conference, which will take place Oct. 18-20 at the Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown.
President Morris reminded Council that her presidential inauguration will take place on Oct. 5.
Mr. Nolan noted that the Student Association will host the world’s largest soccer game on Oct. 6. at 6 p.m.
Mr. Adamo added that the Alumni of Distinction event would take place Oct. 4.
Ms. Parisian shared that the Parisian Foundation would host the 26th annual Pit Run, a 10-kilometer road race, on Oct. 6, at 10:45 a.m.
Adjournment
Upon motion by Mr. Bernier, Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 5:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Legg
Chief Communication and Marketing Officer